Lindsay Lohan claims her absence from the Venice Film Festival had nothing to do with being a diva or just being a general pest towards her co-workers, but actually was because of concerns over her health.

Lindsay Lohan James Deen The Canyons
Lindsay with co-star James Deen in The Canyons

The actress admitted in a statement posted to her official website that her "focus is on [her] health and well-being" only at the moment, and she decided to hold on to a promise she made to TV guru Oprah Winfrey not to leave the USA whilst she recovers from her wild past, which included missing out on the Venice Film Festival to promote her new film, The Canyons.

The Canyons director, Paul Schrader, was left thoroughly disappointed when he had to attend the film festival a star short and told a press panel ahead of the airing of his film, "for the last 16 months I've been hostage, by own choosing, to a very talented but unpredictable actress."

Lindsay Lohan The Canyons
The film has mostly been panned by critics

Schrader was left particularly peeved that he'd been wronged by Lohan yet again, however Lindsay's statement on her site hit back at Schrader, stating that she never told anyone that she'd be attending the Venice Film Festival and the reason behind her absence was due to her ongoing fight to return some normality in to her life. She wrote, "I have to clear up these reports. I was never confirmed to attend. Of course, I would have enjoyed returning to that wonderful city and being a part of this amazing event, but my focus is on my health and well-being. Plain and simple, it is of the utmost importance."

The Canyons premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 30 ahead of a limited cinema run. Lindsay recently completed a court-ordered stay in rehab, after which she claimed to be done with that chapter in her life, as she wants to put drugs and drink behind her for good. Lets see how well the sobriety lasts...

Watch the trailer for The Canyons